search:
GO

Guidance

Welcome to the New York City Department of Education Guidance Portal!   School counselors are a unique group of educators who collaborate with all members of the school community to positively impact the academic achievement, postsecondary preparedness, and personal-social development of New York City public school students. We thank the school community for visiting the Guidance Portal regularly!

School Counselors Make a Difference in NYC Public Schools...

"Ms. Joubert is not only a guidance counselor and college advisor - she is also a life mentor to our children. Ms. Joubert and the entire guidance staff partner with teachers, parents, and students...it is because of this type of collaboration that we are able to see success in our students. Ms. Joubert is indeed an asset to the Truman community,” says Principal Nasser. Featured: Ms. Sana Nasser, Principal (left) and Ms. Andrea Joubert, Guidance Counselor (right) at Harry S. Truman High School, Bronx, NY

“Mr. Oramas is a vital part of our school community. On a good day his office is filled with students learning to share and interact with each other. But on a typical day, the counselor provides a safe haven for students who may need help that is potentially life saving. The role of the counselor should never be underestimated,” says Parent Coordinator Madeline Seide. Featured: Ms. Madeline Seide, Parent Coordinator & Mr. Giovanni Oramas, Guidance Counselor at PS 10 Magnet School of Math, Science and Design Technology, Brooklyn, NY

For Inquiries about the Guidance Portal email Guidance@schools.nyc.gov
Schools provide comprehensive support services providing a range of opportunities for students to develop the knowledge and skills they need to be effective learners and contributing members of the school community. In collaboration with all stakeholders of the educational process, school counselors are committed to the educational and emotional development of all students. Services provided by counselors address the interrelated areas of academic, postsecondary, and personal-social development.

  • Academic Planning: ensuring that students, families, and the entire school community are familiar with promotion and graduation standards, and that students pursue a rigorous instructional program aligned to their academic needs
  • Postsecondary Planning: ensuring that students and families are aware of the range of secondary and postsecondary schools and programs available, and have the opportunity to plan for and make informed choices regarding their secondary and post-secondary pathways
  • Personal-Social Development: ensuring that all students have the opportunity to develop their social-emotional competencies, make positive contributions to the school and surrounding community, and become equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to support a healthy and productive future

Professional School Counseling

School Counseling Frameworks (2011) - A presentation outline recently prepared by the School Counseling Frameworks Committee, a collaborative effort of the NYC Department of Education and the UFT Guidance Chapter. This downloadable resource illustrates an overview of the function of Professional School Guidance Counselors within the context of contemporary comprehensive school counseling and guidance frameworks. Inquiries pertaining to this resource may be directed to Guidance@schools.nyc.gov 

School Guidance Counselors in NYC Public Schools (2006) - A brochure developed by the NYC Department of Education and the UFT Guidance Chapter providing a brief, illustrative overview of the school counseling function in NYC public schools.

ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors

ASCA School Counselor Competencies

ASCA video clip focusing on the topic of
School Counselor-Principal Partnership. Also, access here video clip (Jan 2009) capturing words by Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers (R-MI) regarding the important contribution of school counselors nationwide.

NYSED Part 100 Regulations [100.2 General School Requirements
-Guidance Programs]

Recent NYSSCA statement  in support of school counselors state-wide. Every student deserves access to a professional school counselor! 

The Counseling Profession - a handy CollegeBoard webpage for High School Counselors and College Advisors, including Year-End To-Do List, Creating your School Profile, Creating Handbooks and Newsletters, Supporting a College-Going Culture (view the PDF document Creating a College-Going Culture Guide), College Application Checklist for Students, and much more!

Congratulations! to the twenty-five exceptional school guidance counselors honored on May 25th 2011 at the 25th Annual Guidance Counselor Recognition Award Ceremony held at the Tweed building. Event details appeared highlighted May 26, 2011.  View archived showcase here.

National School Counseling Week 2012 - February 6-10, sponsored by the American School Counseling Association (ASCA) focused attention on the unique contributions of professional school counselors. This year's theme is School Counselors: Helping Students Be Brilliant. 

--------G u i d a n c e   B u l l e t i n-------

School and Community Highlights

New! 2012 NYSED School Administrator's Manual - Recently updated NYS resource
intended for school administrators and counselors including general information pertaining to Regents, RCTs and Second Language Proficiency Testing.
The CollegeBoard Advocay & Policy Center's National Office of School Counseling Advocacy (NOSCA) present an overview of the findings of a recent national study surveying over 5,000 middle and high school counselors.  Access recorded webinar here. View additional archived webinars here. 
CUNY Counselor Newsletter  - Providing important updates for high school counselors and college advisors!
CUNY Start -a low-cost alternative to typical remedial classes, is a full-time, intensive program for new CUNY students needing preparation in reading, writing and math before entering credit classes. Learn more by visiting the CUNY website here.
New! Health Information Tools for Empowerment (HITE) http://www.hitesite.org/ is a resource for medical, mental health and related services in New York. Click on Search for Programs and Resources for the School, Youth and Family “button” which provides a wealth of resources in areas such as: after-school programs/youth groups, child car/day care, counseling for children, domestic abuse/victims’ services, early childhood education, family financial and welfare services, home-based family support, LGBTQ services, mentoring, parenting support, psychological testing for youth, summer youth programs, and tutoring.
The New York Urban League- providing information about employment, education, health care, housing, and the civic arena. Recommended resource: A Parent's Guide to College. Information on how to use the parent guide will be presented during upcoming Parent Academies: October 15 (Bronx), October 17 (Staten Island), October 19 (Queens), October 24 (Brooklyn), and November 2 (Manhattan).
HESC's special FAFSA Assistance Hotline- Inform students and parents if they have questions about the FAFSA: Call the FAFSA Hotline, 1-800-808-1790 Wednesdays from 12 noon - 6:00 pm and email FAFSAhelp@hesc.org. 
Respect For All Resources The importance of promoting respect for diversity in our daily practice is vital to creating and sustaining an inclusive school climate and culture in each of our schools so that all students feel valued, supported and safe. Resources, including websites that offer free curricular, video and other classroom resources, professional development opportunities, fact sheets, research and other materials are available through the intranet at Respect For All Resources.
The Mayor's Fund is fundraising for efforts to help U.S. southern states affected by recent tornados and those affected in Japan by the earthquake and tsunami.  Access donation information here. School staff may visit the Office of School and Youth Development webpage for additional resources.
Learning Leaders College Planning Program offers high schools and Community Based Organizations (CBOs) the opportunity to request placement of a trained volunteer to assist the college advisor with key college planning processes. Collaborating closely with your school’s college advisor, the Learning Leaders College Planning Volunteer can work one-on-one with students as they research colleges, complete applications, critique essays, register for SAT/ACT tests, and complete the FAFSA form.  To learn more about this program please review the College Planning Volunteer job description .  To request a Learning Leaders  College Planning Volunteer for your school/program, please complete the one page high school profile and return to Carla Shere via email.  For additional information about this opportunity contact Carla Shere at CShere@learningleaders.org or visit http://www.learningleaders.org/

Upcoming Events & Opportunities   

Fee Waivers Opportunity: College Connections Project at the Manhattan Educational Opportunity Center provides college application fee waivers to low-
income adults age 19 and over.  The application fee waivers can be used to pay the application fees to CUNY ($65/$70) and to SUNY Empire State College ($50).  Information is available here or by calling 212-961-5853. 

Professional Development Opportunity - NYC Department of Education in collaboration with NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is offering all high school personnel a free professional development opportunity developed by Kognito Interactive. The training teaches participants how to identify, approach, and refer students who show signs of psychological distress. View event flyer.  Access summary and instructions here.  For general inquiries contact Scott Bloom at sbloom5@schools.nyc.gov


Thursday, June 7, 2012 - 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 2500 Halsey St, Bronx NY - Professional School Counseling in NYC Public Schools: Keeping Up with the Trends - 2012 Professional Development Opportunity for K-12 School Guidance Counselors provided by the Office of School & Youth Development (OSYD). Participants will have the opportunity to review current promising practices in promoting digitally responsible citizenship and enhance their understanding and use of the Where Are They Now? Reports. Given space limitation, pre-registration is required. Access registration information here and submit to Cgalante2@schools.nyc.gov  no later than Friday, May 25, 2012. Participation will be confirmed until all seats have been filled.

Friday, May 25, 2012, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Jacob Javits Center, Manhattan. Annual Parent Conference for parents of current and former English Language Learners - College & Career Readiness: What Do I Need to Know to Help My Child? Access additional information here.

New! Thursday, May 31, 2012, 5:30 - 8:00 p.m.- MLK Jr. Educational Campus, 122 Amsterdam Ave, Manhattan- 3rd Annual Citywide Additional Ways to Graduate Fair presented by the Office of Postsecondary Readiness. Students and families interested in graduating with a high school diploma or GED can learn more about Transfer Schools, Young Adult Borough Centers, and GED pathways. Each site will have staff and current students on hand to describe unique features of their sites, share a personalized perspective of the student experience, and provide information about how to enroll.  For additional information access event flyer or visit the OPSR webpage. 

New! Wednesday, May 16, Thursday, May 17 or Friday, May 18, 2012 - Educators & School Leaders can participate in one of three 45-minute informational conference calls to learn about the CUNY College Focus Program, a new five-week summer program which will serve 200 rising seniors on two campuses: LaGuardia Community College & Hostos Community College. Participating seniors will prepare for the CUNY Assessment Tests which help students meet standards for placement into credit-bearing CUNY college courses. The program will also provide student Metrocards, supplemental tutoring, college access and success workshops, and a 60-hour course in reading/writing or math from July 9 - August 9. Learn more, RSVP for one of the May conference calls, or submit student application by the June 1 deadline. Inquiries, please contact Mary Hiebert at mary.hiebert@mail.cuny.edu   

Seats still available! Wednesday, May 16, 2012 (Brooklyn location). All NYC public middle schools and high schools are invited to enroll in the NYC Gifting Initiative  which provides the Overcoming Obstacles Life Skills Program free of charge. (View here Chancellor Walcott’s announcement regarding this initiative.) To begin the enrollment process, schools must participate in an introductory workshop, where they will learn about the Overcoming Obstacles program and how to best bring life skills instruction to their students. Submit the registration template to Margarita Suero-Duran, Office of School & Youth Development at msuerod@schools.nyc.gov to register for the upcoming half-day workshop and/or contact your school’s CFN Youth Development liaison for additional information. 


New! Saturday, May 12, 2012, 9:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at John Jay College, 899 Tenth Avenue, Manhattan 10019 - NYC high school college counselors, minority students in grades 8-11, and their parents and families are invited to the Second Annual NYC Bridge Builders Forum. Hosted by the Gates Millennium Scholars Program, this event will provide workshops about current college options from CUNY/SUNY and private institutions. The event is open to all, however, registration is required by May 11.  Learn more and download the flyer. Inquiries, please contact Ainsley Rudolfo at arudolfo@schools.nyc.gov  


Friday, May 4, 2012 - Deadline. The Mayor’s Citywide Fatherhood Initiative presents the Second Annual NYC DADS Matter Awards. The award will recognize 10 fathers from across the City who overcame challenges to become positive and consistent forces in the lives of their children. Do you know a great dad who has overcome the odds to play a positive and powerful role in the life of his child and his community? Please submit your nomination form and essay by Friday, May 4th.


2011 -2012 - FREE ACT College & Career Readiness Workshops for high school counselors throughout New York. Online registration is required. View upcoming session information at the ACT registration webpage . 

2011-2012 - FREE CollegeBoard Webinars and Webcasts for guidance personnel, administrators, and other educators. Register today! Feature webinars:

2011- 2012 FREE EducationWeek webinars. For additional information, visit the Education Week webpage.  

Visit the NYC DOE Empowering Boys portal to access facts and strategies related to ongoing efforts at closing the achievement gap!

Reminder! A wide range of additional opportunities are regularly updated on the Quick Links section of the Teacher Page under PD + Student Opportunities.  

Guidance personnel are encouraged to visit the portal regularly and to contact the CFN Guidance/Youth Development Liaison for their school regarding additional opportunities that may be available through  their network.  

 

    Professional Associations

    Additional Resources


    Principals' Portal and Office of School & Youth Development (DOE Intranet)

    School counselors are reminded to contact their CFN Youth Development Liaison for support.
     
    We are continually updating the Guidance Portal and we welcome suggestions for improvement!
    Please e-mail comments, questions, and suggestions to guidance@schools.nyc.gov